FOXASH SOCIAL & SPORTS CLUB

Harwich Road, Lawford, Manningtree, Essex CO11 2LR

WALKING FOOTBALL AT FOXASH

FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME!!!

Sunday 8th saw the second annual Foxash WFC Walking Football tournament held at Foxash Social and Sports Club.

Twelve teams took part, with the home club being represented with two teams. Local teams Walton Swifts (two teams) and Colchester travelled ‘down the road’ and we welcomed teams from as far as Leyton Orient, Cheshunt and Beccles along with Suffolk Strollers (Kesgrave two teams), Stowmarket and Shooters (North Weald). Good to see a variety of new teams and more established teams, always good to catch up with people that we have met at other tournaments and make some new friends with the new teams.

Teams were split into two leagues of six, each playing a round robin of all the teams in their league. Some tight games from both leagues resulted in a early lack of goals with several matches ending 0-0. Top two teams going through to the play off’s.

With the league getting tight towards the top last games became important. Cheshunt lead league one with 9pts with Foxash A hot on their heals after two wins in their last two games games to finish 2nd with 8pts, only 1pt above Suffolk Strollers in third. League two was a little more clear cut with Beccles finishing with 11pts after some cracking wins. Colchester Phoenix finished runners up 9pts. Foxash B finished 5th after some good performances against much stronger opposition.

The semi finals started with Cheshunt v Colchester Phoenix. A very closely fought match seeing some excellent play from both teams, after some strong defensive play Cheshunt were finally broken down and a late Phoenix goal finished them off.

Home team Foxash A were up against a strong team from league one winners Beccles in the semi final. Another defensive match, with some strong runs from both sides saw a very tight even match. Both teams having shots on goal but some good goal keeping kept the match at 0-0. So up for the first penalty shoot out. Foxash scored four perfect penalties. Phoenix scored one but two saves by Foxash’s goal-keeper Graham Fuller gave an overall 4-1 victory to Foxash.

So to the final, home team Foxash A up again old rivals Colchester Phoenix. Match kicked off with some positive forward play from Foxash, but an early strong challenge by a Phoenix player saw him blue carded and sin binned for two minutes. Phoenix with good midfield passing and play made it hard for Foxash to break through and make the man advantage count. Some good counter play saw several good passes from Ian Finch and Clive Dawson giving forward Graham Cole a few good shots on goal but to no avail. With Phoenix back up to full strength play became tight in the midfield. Foxash struggled with playing through injuries and fatigue started to show, but gritty determination and strong home support from the crowd urged them on. The midfield was held by Paul Cassidy and strong defending by Graham Clark kept it to a tight game. Positive forward play from Phoenix saw a couple of good shots on goal well saved by the Foxash goal-keeper Fuller.

Time up and 0-0, another nervous penalty shoot out for the home team. First up saw Clive Dawson score in the corner for Foxash, same from Phoenix. Another clean cut penalty from Foxash and a save saw home team advantage. Then a miss from Foxash and goal from Phoenix made it all square at 2-2. Another clean strike in the corner and another save from Fuller saw the home team 3-2 up. Up steps home Goal-keeper Fuller to take the penalty and a good clean hard strike saw Foxash take the trophy 4-2 on penalties. A perfect finish to a home tournament.

All into the clubhouse for final refreshments, thank you’s and presentations. Runners up Colchester Phoenix collected their medals, then medals and trophy for the winners Foxash A. Man of the tournament chosen by the four referees went to a very well deserved Graham Fuller of Foxash A, who saved in total four penalties and scored the winning penalty. Thank you to all that contributed to a very enjoyable day.

If anyone would like to join in the walking football training on Sundays please contact Richard on 07710 793306 or via the website www.foxashwalkingfootball.uk